The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: A Charity with a Mission

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) mission is straightforward:  Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

To help achieve this mission, this non-profit society must raise money. Since the society was founded in 1949, the LLS has invested more than $550.8 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

One of the major fundraising projects for the Eastern North Carolina LLS Chapter is the Showcase for a Cure, which has been in existence for seven years. Each year a custom builder is chosen to build a home using discounted and donated products and services. The value of these donations benefits the Society. Since its inception the homes have raised nearly $1.5 million dollars. 
 
As an added special touch, an individual is selected every year to be a representative of the home. “Each year a local blood cancer survivor is asked to serve as the home’s Honoree, providing inspiration and motivation during the construction and decoration of the home,” explains Tiffany Drummond Armstrong, the Society’s Executive Director. “This year a very special young lady, Rebecca Simpson, was asked to take this important role, but unfortunately lost her battle with leukemia just after construction started.” 

Simpson was diagnosed with AML on March 11, 2003 at the age of 13. For the next four years, she underwent multiple intense rounds of chemotherapy. She contracted fungal pneumonia which attacked her lungs, requiring two lung surgeries which resulted in the removal of the lower half of her left lung.
 
She declined rapidly in the four weeks before her death as the leukemia took over her body, until she passed away on February 23, 2007 holding her sister’s hand.
 
“Rebecca was a very special person whose strong will, incredible faith and generous soul has inspired us more than she could ever have known,” states Armstrong.  

Rebecca exhibited joy, compassion, and determination every moment of her life. She auditioned for plays and musicals at school, sometimes performing bald and with oxygen tanks. She sang in the choir and Honors Vocal Ensemble missing half a lung, and played the piano despite losing the feeling in her fingers due to certain drugs.
 
She took advanced academic classes, kept up with the work and graduated early as Salutatorian of her class. She volunteered her time at blood drives and fundraisers for childhood cancer. She danced with her dance company while enduring the pain of bone deterioration, often doing ballet when she could barely walk.
 
Every year a Black Tie Gala is held at the completion of the Showcase for a Cure home. This year’s event, hosted by Crescent Communities, was held at the Hidden Lakes home Casa Lucca built by Bost Custom Homes on September 29th. Attended by 450 people dressed to the nines for a great cause, the entire evening helped the LLS top their goal of $300,000!
 
Simpson’s goal was to make a difference in the lives of others and the Casa Lucca house will always be a reminder of this beautiful young girl and her dreams.
 
“Rebecca collected turtles so the designers placed several around the home in their rooms for her at the house,” states Armstrong. “She was the center of attention at the Black Tie Gala with her story in the program and a turtle charm for everyone to take home.”
 
In addition, Bost Custom Homes built an elegant turtle pond in the back of the house with a bench inscribed with the words ‘Because we knew her, we have been changed for good.’ 
 
For more information on The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society call 919-677-3993 or visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.

Jeff, Emmaline, and Vinson Simpson gather at the portrait of Rebecca, which was displayed during the Showcase for a Cure Black Tie Gala.